Our TENS Unit TakeBack Program: A Step Forward for Patient Care and Planet Earth
At Dunbar Medical, our commitment has always been to improve lives through innovative therapeutic solutions. Today, we are expanding that commitment to include the health of our planet.
We are proud to announce the launch of the Dunbar Medical TENS Unit Takeback Program, a free and easy recycling initiative designed to give your retired devices a new purpose while protecting our environment.
Why This Matters
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units have provided pain relief and comfort to millions. However, electronic devices, when not disposed of properly, contribute to the growing challenge of e-waste—one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world.
Our Tens Unit Takeback Program ensures that every Dunbar Medical TENS unit is disassembled responsibly. We recover valuable materials for reuse and ensure all electronic components and batteries are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner, keeping harmful substances out of landfills.
How the Program Works
It’s simple. We’ve made it easy for you to participate.
- Gather: Collect your used, non-functional, or obsolete TENS units that you previously purchased from Dunbar Medical, including leads and pads.
- Prepare: Remove any personal batteries if possible (we can also recycle single-use batteries sent with the unit).
- Ship or Drop Off: Request a free, pre-paid recycling mailer by sending an email to sustainability@dunbarmedical.com, together with copies of the Dunbar Medical invoice(s) for your TENS unit(s).
- Place your TENS unit(s) in suitable packaging and drop it at any mailbox.
- We Handle the Rest: Our certified recycling partner will process every unit with the highest standards of environmental stewardship and data security.
Your Impact
By participating, you are:
- Preventing E-Waste: Ensuring responsible end-of-life processing for electronic components.
- Conserving Resources: Allowing precious metals and plastics to be recovered and used in new products.
- Supporting a Circular Economy: Helping Dunbar Medical move toward a more sustainable product lifecycle.
- Leading by Example: Joining a community of patients and professionals dedicated to responsible healthcare.
Join Us in This Important Initiative
The TENS unit takeback program is open to all individuals—patients, caregivers, and healthcare facilities—regardless of when or where your TENS unit was purchased from Dunbar Medical.
Our Broader Commitment
The TENS Unit Takeback Program is one pillar of Dunbar Medical’s Green Path Initiative, our multi-year plan to minimize our environmental footprint. This includes:
- Focusing on products that demonstrate longevity and support easier recycling.
- Reducing packaging materials and increasing recycled content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is there any cost to participate?
A: No. The TENS unit takeback program is completely free for participants, and is entirely funded by Dunbar Medical as part of our environmental commitment.
Q: What happens to my personal data on the device?
A: Please remove all personal data from your TENS units before sending them back to us. However, our process does include a physical inspection of all units and a secure destruction protocol for any internal memory chips as an additional safeguard for your privacy.
Q: Can I return units from any brands?
A: The TENS unit takeback program applies to any TENS units that were originally sold by Dunbar Medical, whatever the brand.
Q: My unit still works. Can I donate it instead?
A: While we applaud the desire to extend a product’s life, Dunbar Medical cannot facilitate the direct donation of used medical devices due to regulatory and liability constraints. For functional units, we recommend consulting with local charitable organizations to understand their acceptance policies.
The Science of Responsible Recycling
Our certified partner uses state-of-the-art facilities to process every returned unit. The process begins with manual disassembly to separate batteries—which are processed through specialized battery recyclers—from the core device. The units are then shredded, and materials are separated using advanced techniques like magnetic and eddy-current separation. This meticulous process recovers high-value materials such as copper, steel, and specific plastics, which are then supplied to manufacturers as post-consumer recycled feedstock. This closed-loop system reduces the need for virgin material mining and lowers the overall carbon footprint of future products.
A Note of Gratitude
We extend our sincere thanks to you, our community. By choosing Dunbar Medical, you’ve entrusted us with your care. By participating in this program, you are now partnering with us in a mission that extends beyond the individual to the global community. Each returned unit represents a conscious choice for sustainability, and collectively, these actions forge a significant positive impact. We are inspired by the opportunity to innovate not just in pain management, but in corporate responsibility, and we are grateful you are on this journey with us.
In Closing
Together, we can manage pain and preserve our planet.
Questions? Contact us at sustainability@dunbarmedical.com.